The government has been toppled. Democracy prevails.
Well, maybe not. But there are issues and ideas that should be made public with regards to the upcoming election, Canadian politics and the downfall of democracy.
First things first- let's do it, let's have another election.
Campaign seasons never go out of style in Canada. Having five elections in just over 10 years is completely acceptable, right? Anyone? The ad companies must enjoy it.
Yes, elections, especially recurring ones, can be aggravating.
It's tough work, but soon it will be time to make another trip to the neighbourhood poll and exercise those democratic rights.
They can seem like a complete waste of money. Many feel they are a waste of time. It's no wonder just three-fifths showed up last time - and only 40 per cent in this riding.
But, elections aren't all bad. They can do some good.
Take, for example, the possibility of removing from office some of the insular politicians, stuck permanently in a cross-armed stance.
When those politicians are eventually pushed out, others are inevitably ushered in – something like a vacuum cleaner for politicians.
But, just maybe, there will be a politician or two that would prefer to work with others, and above all listen to the people (they're the ones in charge, of course).
And if luck would have it, they would be co-operative, compassionate politicians, ones who don't mind upholding democracy, rather than slowly destroying it.
That is why we are doing this, right? The destruction and disregard for democracy is the reason for the election, is it not?
Nationally and globally, the meaning of democracy has lost some significance. It has become sort of a catch-all term- sometimes the goal of rebellions, other times the justification for authoritarianism.
But all it takes is the neglect of democracy in Canada, and public concerns about health care, the economy, contemptuous leadership and even the blatant removal of rights can be quelled by something as autocratic as proroguing parliament.
But wait! It's not that easy. Certainly the electorate (myself included) is part of the problem.
The way people treat politicians and the way they treat each other has turned some into callous, cold-hearted candidates. No matter how good they are, there will always be someone attacking them, someone unhappy with what they are doing, putting politicians forever on the defensive.
Politicians are called evil; it's believed some are crooks and they are made scapegoats for everything. Yet, it's demanded they truly care about the wellbeing of the state and its electorate.
It has become a job requirement of politicians to be able shrug off and dish out personal attacks and maintain irrational positions, while always appearing balanced, just to survive the political hurricane called federal politics.
The current political scene stifles government and the democratic process. Canadians are not apathetic towards politics, they are cynical, and for good reason- the entire political process stinks.
What to do about it?
Obviously there is no single, ultimate solution to the complex problems in politics and the destruction of democracy that comes with them.
There is, however, the simple human ability to treat others (including politicians) the way we would like to be treated.
And who knows, maybe with some time and after a few more elections, politicians will begin to treat us the way we would like in return.
Fingers crossed.
